Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 15,419, Eliab Edson, Conn.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn.
Edson, Eliab
S 15419
Carded
CONTENTS

Vermont. 17.390
Eliab Edson
of Randolph in the State of Vermont who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain _____ of the Reg't commanded by Col Swift - in the Ot. arms line for 12 mos. 3. 1/2 ds.
Inscribed on the Roll of Vermont at the rate of 44 Dollars 65 Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 20 day of Aug. 1833 and sent to
J. K. Parish Randolph
Arrears to the 1st of March 1833 $ 89.30 Semi-ant. allowance ending Sept - 22.32
$111.62
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by W. L. Williams, Clerk, Book 2 Vol. 3 Page 13.

State of Vermont District of Randolph. On this 28 th day of July A D 1832 personally appeared before the Hon. the Probate Court at Brookfield within and for the said district: the County of Orange in open court, Elias Edson a resident of Randolph in the District, County & State aforesaid aged 72 years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832 - That in the year 1776 he enlisted into the state service, so called from the town of Stafford Conn. for six months and served under Capt. Pease in Col. Wolcott's Regt joined the Regt at New London Conn. Israel Connors was a Lt. in P. Company served the full time of his enlistment - and also in the year 1777 he served a tour of six weeks under Capt. Elisha Robinson marched from said Stafford and was ordered to the State of R.I. and was stationed for the most of the time in Warren in R.I. State - Genl. Spencer commanded - And also that in the Spring of the year 1780 he enlisted for six months from said Stafford into the Continental and in June joined the Army at Nelsons Point & was there selected & formed with others into a company of Lt. Infantry commanded by Capt. David Dorrance in Genl. Swifts Regt. Genl. Poors Brigade & Genl. Lafayettes division and was discharged at the Highlands in N.Y. near Fishkill about the first of January 1781
Elias Edson
Sworn to & subscribed the day and year aforesaid
Frederick Griswold Judge of Probate
And said Court is of opinion after investigating the matter that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier & served as he states -
J. B. Parish Clerk or Regt of the Probate Court within and for the district aforesaid hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Elias Edson for a pension -
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this 28 th day of July A D 1832 -
J. B. Parish Clerk or Regt.
I hereby certify the foregoing is truly copied from the original in my office J. B. Parish Clerk or Regt.

State of Vermont District of Randolph ss. In a Probate Court held at Randolph within & for the said District, in Orange County this 10 th day of June A D 1833. Before the Hon. Calvin Blodgett Judge When came Eliab Edson of Randolph in the District & County aforesaid in said State & being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath & make the following 2 d declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision of the act of Congress passed June 7, 1832. That he is unable to find any further positive proof of his services than what he forwarded in his first declaration excepting the affidavit of Susanah Eason which will accompany his statement, under his first instrument in 1778 in Col. Walcutt's Reg t in Capt. Pease Company he was ordered to New London Conn. the last of June or first of July & was engaged for the whole 6 months in building & work upon the Fort and was dismissed about the first of January 1777 - He states that in his tour of one & a half months in 1777 he joined the Army at Warren N.H. in March & served till the first of May. That in his tour in 1780 he joined the Army as stated in his first declaration as testified by Ebenezer Wilson and that he knows of no other person who can testify to that service & thinks the name of Eliab Edson must be on the rolls as he answered to for 6. months once or twice each day - Capt. Danan & Col. Swift were Continental officers & that he was with others detached by Baron Stuber & formed as stated into a Lt. Infantry Comp y he remembers that Cols. Shepherd & Mott belonged to Poor's Brigade & that P t Poor died while P t declarant was in service under Col. Swift He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present & declares his name is not on the Pension roll of the agency of any State - was born in Stafford Conn. 1760 age recorded in town Clerks office in Stafford - lived in P t Stafford when called into service, since the Revolutionary war. lived there & in Randolph Vt. where he now resides. entered the service each time by enlistment or volunteering - the names of officers & companies in declaration - no discharge except the last service & that is lost and have no recollection of seeing it for more than 30 years he refers to persons with whom he is acquainted & who can testify to his services such as Hon. Dudley Chase, Wm. Nutting, Tilton Edson, Mary Blodgett & others
Eliab Edson
Sworn & subscribed the day & year aforesaid
Calvin Blodgett Judge

We Tilton Eastman a Clergyman of Randolph & Benjamin Blodgett of the same Randolph hereby certify that we are and well acquainted with Eliab Edson who has subscribed & sworn to the foregoing declarations that we believe him to be 72 years of age & that he is reputed & believed in his neighborhood to have been a soldier of the Revolution & we concur in that opinion
Tilton Eastman Clergyman Benjamin Blodgett
Sworn & subscribed the day & year aforesaid
Calvin Blodgett Judge
I William Norcross Clerk in Register of the Probate Court aforesaid hereby certify that the foregoing contains the ori- ginal proceedings before that Court, in the case of Eliab Edson in his application and Second Declara- tion for the purpose of obtaining a Pension.— In testimony of which I have unto me my official name and affixed the Seal of said Court, this 10 th day of June A.D. 1833.
W m Norcross Clerk in Reg t

that Elias Edson
Case of Elias Edson. Should be Eliab Edson
Admitted 13 months and 12 days
43.33 1.32 44.15
JK Parish Esq Randolph vt

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
19 April 1833
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will show what is necessary to be done. These points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, showing the Service of Elias Edson
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     1776, 77 6 Private Col. Wolcott 72 Stafford Conn. affidavit of John Carpenter   1777 1 12 " Gent. Spencer " " do do do also Israel Rabber   1780 6 " Gent. Lafayette, Gent. Poor, Col. Swift " " Elisha Wiley & Susannah Edson -   1 1 1/2 or 1 mo. 12 days  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
Mr Elias Edson

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted: This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this _____ day of _____ personally appeared (a) before _____ and State, Territory or District A. B. a resident (b) of _____ in the county of _____ of _____ aged (c) _____ years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) _____, with _____ and served in the _____ (e) regiment of the _____ line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. [This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of _____ A. B.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I _____ of the Court of _____ do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this _____ day of _____ &c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out. Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz: _____ and C. D. residing in (the same)
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the _____, who has hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with _____ subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the _____ and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the _____ and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, _____ Clerk of the Court of _____ do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this _____ day of _____ &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services. 
6. { To a Soldier. { Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it? { To an Officer. { Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claimant cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase "about three or four months," is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tons, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or place where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[k] The notes from [a] to [j] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declarations.
not on Rolls of Service reg t in this office

P
15419
am
INVALID.
File No. 15419
Elizh Edson
Pri Rev War
Act: June 7 th 52
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 110
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Randolph Vt. June 10 th 1833.
Hon. Secretary of War,
Sir Herewith I forward the papers in the cases of Jeremiah Snow, Saml. Bap. William Curley, Benja. Blodgett, James Morris & Eliz Edson as collected. There might have been some mistake in looking for the name of Edson on Roll of Swifts Regt. Name is Eliz not Elias
Yours Respectfully
J. R. Parish

Hon. Secy of War Pension Office Washington

I Susannah Edson being 73 years of age do hereby sworn depose, testify and say That I am as well
acquainted with Elias Edson in the year 1880 who was then residing in Stafford Connecticut and now in Randolph Vermont. I was then knowing to his going into the army of the U.S. and was about six months or more and it was said was in the service of the United States during that period, - and I know of his being out at other times, but the particular as to the length of the service I am now unable to state. Susannah Edson
Sworn to and subscribed before me
Calvin Bloodgate Judge of Probate.
State of Vermont } County of Orange } District of Randolph }
I hereby certify that Susannah Edson the signer of the above affidavit is a person of truth, and her statements entitled to credit - Given under my hand and the seal of said court this 10th day of June A.D. 1883 Calvin Bloodgate Judge of Probate

I Elisha Wilcox of Northfield in the county of Washington and State of Vermont depose and say that in the year One thousand seven hundred and eighty, I was in the army of the United States in the Connecticut line and was then acquainted with Eliab Edson now of Randolph in the county of Grange and State of Vermont, that the said Edson and myself joined the army at Nelsons point, and was then selected out and with others, formed into a company of light Infantry, which was commanded by Capt. David Barren, in Colonel Swifts Regiment, Gen. Poor's Brigade and Gen. Lafayette's Division. That we arrived at Nelsons point in the month of June in the year aforesaid and that the said Edson served and mefared with me until the last of of December or first January following, and that we enlisted & swore for the term of six months—
Elisha Wilcox
State of Vermont
Washington County ss. } Northfield June 13. 1832
Elisha Wilcox made solemn oath, that the foregoing affidavit contains the truth, and nothing but the truth, before me
John L. Buck. Justice of the Peace

State of Vermont
Secretary of State's office
Montpelier Aug t 13. 1832
I hereby certify that John L. Buck is a Justice of The Peace within & for the County of Washington in S tate and that to his acts & attestations in such full faith & credit ought to be given
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of office This 13 th day of Aug t . A d 1832
Timothy Merrill Secretary of State
I hereby certify that Elisha Wilson the signer of the within affidavit is personally known to me and he is a credible witness John L. Buck, Justice of Peace

I, Israel Ribble of Randolph in Orange County & State of Vermont of lawful age testify & say that Eliab Edson, now of the same Randolph, in March in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred & seventy seven, served as a private soldier in the Connecticut detached militia, for the term of six weeks from the time of his detachment, which was sometime in the 8 th month of March, but I do not recollect the day of the month; the S d Edson belonged to the company commanded by Captain Elijah Robinson; the S d service was performed principally in the town of Warren in the state of Rhode Island, under the command of General Spencer; I served in the same company with the S d Edson during S d term, was personally acquainted during S d term of service & have been ever since.
Israel Ribble
State of Vermont, Randolph June 25. 1832 Orange County ss. The above named Israel Ribble personally appeared & made solemn oath that the above affidavit by him subscribed contains the whole truth & nothing but the truth before me Benja n Griswold Justice of the Peace
The subscriber before whom the foregoing affidavit was taken & subscribed hereby certifies that he is well acquainted with the above named Israel Ribble who made the above affidavit, and that he is a person of truth (and veracity) Benja n Griswold Justice of the Peace

State of Vermont
Secretary of State's Office
Montpelier Aug t 13. 1832
Whereby certify that Benjamin Griswold is a Justice of the Peace within & for the County of Orange in said State & that to his acts & attestations as such full faith & credit ought to be given
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of office this 13 th day of Aug t 1832
Timothy Merrill Secretary of State
Israel Hibber Affidavit
with Edson

I John Carpenter of Washington in the County of Orange and State of Vermont of lawful age do testify and say that I am personally acquainted with Elijah Edson of Randolph in S. Orange County and that during the Revolutionary war, we both lived in Stafford, Connecticut. I further testify and say that the S d Elijah Edson was in the same company and the same mess with me at New London in the year 1776. that he was a soldier in the company commanded by Capt Abial Pease in the State Service "so called," in the Regiment commanded by Col. Erastus Wolcott - we both entered the army at New London Connecticut the first of July 1776 and continued in the service until the first of January 1777. when we were both discharged — I further testify & say that in March 1777 the S d Edson & myself enlisted in the State service in the Company commanded by Capt. Elijah Robinson and in the command of General Spencer. that we went together in S d Company to Rhode Island on a six weeks tour and were both discharged from the service about the first of May 1777.
John Carpenter
State of Vermont & R d Chelsea in S d County on the Orange County ss 26 th day of June 1832 personally appeared John Carpenter above named, and made solemn oath that the above deposition by him subscribed contains the whole truth & nothing but the truth before me John W. Smith, Justice Peace

State of Vermont
Secretary of State's Office
Montpelier August 13. 1832
I hereby certify that John W. Smith is a Justice of the Peace within & for the county of Orange in said State & that to his acts and attestations as such full faith & credit ought to be given
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of office this 13 th day of Augt. A.D. 1832
Perinthy Merrill Secretary of State
Eliz. Estlin
This certifies that the within is a true copy of the original as shown to John W. Smith John Dean

This certifies that the within named John Carpenter is a credible witness John Woodworth Justice Peace
Eliza Edson
State of Vermont Vernoy's Station Office Northfield August 13. 1832 I hereby certify that John W. Smith is a member of the First church in this town of Brattleboro' in good standing and full faith and entitled to all the rights and privileges of a member of said church In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of office this 13th day of August 1832 Timothy Merrill Brenton of State